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“We have spent too little time discussing what it means for a nation to draw on many identity communities, or for an individual to live a life that constantly crosses boundaries and weaves together webs of significance from multiple circles – larger and smaller – that may both intersect and contradict.” ~AAC&U’s The Drama of Diversity and Democracy: Higher Education and American Commitments, second edition (2011)
Conversations on the Bridge:The Bridging Cultures Project at Middlesex Community College Dona Cady, Dean of Global Education Carina E. Self, Assist. Dean of Social Sciences & Service Learning Matthew Olson, Dean of Humanities & Social Sciences
About Middlesex Community College • Two campuses – Bedford and Lowell, MA • Non-residential • 9664 students (headcount) • 5618 full-time equivalent (FTE) • 61% part-time • 39% full-time
Overview • Middlesex Experience with Global Learning • Long history of emphasis on global education • Twenty-three year relationship with the Asian Studies Development Program at the East West Center • Twenty‐year old service‐learning program
Strategic Direction • 2011-2014 Strategic Plan lists six “Strategic Directions” including… “We will transform learning by integrating -academic, workplace and global experiences to meet personal, professional and community needs.” • https://www.middlesex.mass.edu/strategicplanning/downloads/stratdir.pdf
Global Education • DONA?
Service Learning Program • In 2012-13 academic year, 950 students participated in the service-learning program and performed a total of 19,000 service hours. • Fall 2012 - 38 faculty in 36 different courses (64 sections) • Spring 2013 - 37 faculty in 34 different courses (58 sections)
Assessing Global Learning • Internal: Institutional Student Learning Outcomes (ISLOs) – Social Responsibility and Multicultural & Global Awareness • External: NEASC, Massachusetts Board of Higher Education’s VISION Project
Integrating Efforts • Previously, a series of separate efforts (in silos) • The Middlesex Bridging Cultures Project (BCP) is a unified effort to develop: • cross‐disciplinary knowledge • cultural literacy • active awareness of individual and collective responsibility • synergy and economy across efforts
The Massachusetts Vision Project • In 2010, the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education unveiled a strategic plan called the Vision Project with 6 key outcomes • In 2012, an additional key outcome was added
AAC&U Global Learning VALUE Rubric • What is the Global Learning VALUE Rubric • Used to evaluate activities or experiences for students (SLOs) • Examples form Middlesex Community College • Examples from your schools?
AAC&U Global Learning Inventory • Assessing a college, campus, or other major area (school or division) • Two dimensions: • Breadth: the degree to which efforts are connected (Isolated/Integrated) • Depth: the degree to which efforts are embedded throughout the institution (Superficial/Embedded)
Some Questions about Pervasiveness • How well-connected are programs/activities/courses? What structures help with integration? • How do efforts build on existing work? • How are activities “scaffolded” for development over time? • How do we know we are making a difference (student learning AND campus culture)?
Modeling and Practice • Examples from Middlesex Community College • Examples from your school (think aloud)
Benefits of One Identifiable Program • Galvanize faculty, create identity for this work • Faculty see work as connected to something larger • Work is linked to goals of MCC strategic plan • Gen Ed reform, Closing Achievement Gap • Better uses of resources • Speaker series • Bridging Cultures (IDS) Weekend
Conversations on the Bridge:The Bridging Cultures Project at Middlesex Community College Dona Cady, Dean of Global Education Carina E. Self, Assist. Dean of Social Sciences & Service Learning Matthew Olson, Dean of Humanities & Social Sciences